"One way to open your eyes is to ask yourself, "What if I had never seen this before? What if I would never see it again?""

- Rachel Carson

Action Alert:
DARK Act - HR 1599U.S. House of Representatives Seeks to Prohibit Labeling of GMOsMaine's landmark legislation, An Act To Protect Maine Food Consumers' Right To Know about Genetically Engineered Food, could be eliminated if HR 1599 were to pass.More information

To maximize our relevance and effectiveness in a time of changing food systems and changing attitudes, we invite you to participate in one or more meetings, held from August 3 to 6, at the Good Will-Hinckley School in Fairfield, Maine.

Know Your Organic Producers!Meet Gina Hancock of MOFGA-certified organic Hancock Family Farm in Casco, Maine. The Hancocks (Gina, Geof and their two daughters) grow vegetables, vegetable seedlings, cut flowers and herbs, which they sell through their own farm stand, at the Bridgton and Kennebunk farmers’ markets and through their community supported agriculture program. "We believe that building and tending quality soil will translate into healthy, nutritious vegetables; that livestock deserves respectful handling and the opportunity to live out their lives on pasture; and that great farming doesn't happen without community," say the Hancocks. Learn more about Hancock Family Farm on their website and on their Facebook page.Please support MOFGA certified organic farmers and producers!

No bad apples: Grocery store cuts waste and cost by selling imperfect fruitGrist - 1/24/2013. By Dana Gunders - On the surface, it’s a common display. A bin of apples with a sale sign greets customers as they enter the grocery store. Behind the scenes, however, it’s unchartered territory. Those apples were destined to be juice, cattle feed, or maybe even landfill waste until a few crafty folks and a bold supermarket decided to break the grade barrier.

A Prescription for Injuries of the Soul: Healing the Earth Healing UsCommon Dreams - 1/24/2013. By Carolyn Raffensperger - Most people suffer from a sense of moral failure over environmental matters. The mismatch between being told to change our light bulbs when the planet seems in free fall - melting ice caps, polluted water supplies, drought - creates a needling angst and anxiety. We know that we are in deep trouble, but feel that there is little we - or anyone - can do individually.

BPA ban approved for Maine food packagesPortland Press Herald - 1/24/2013. By North Cain - Augusta: The state's Board of Environmental Protection voted unanimously Thursday to approve a ban on bisphenol-A in packaging for baby food and infant formula. The measure, which the board endorsed in a preliminary vote last week, now goes to the Legislature for final approval.

Regional School Unit (RSU) 1 L.O.C.A.L. Garden in Bath. Offered by Sagadahoc Chapter of Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners with the Kennebec Estuary Land Trust (KELT). Space is limited so RSVP by email to: joe.kim.sean@gmail.com. For more information, visit KELT at www.kennebecestuary.org or contact Sue West at swest@chewonki.org.